Who we are

PDF is a local non political lobbying and campaigning group recognized by Portsmouth City Council and the Primary Care Trust amongst many others as a consultative disability group within Portsmouth.

Our aim is to promote the care, welfare, interest, education and advancement of disabled people their families and personal assistants and their independence and inclusion within the community of Portsmouth and the surrounding areas.

We work with service providers and other disability organisations to ensure that disabled people get the same rights and facilities as everyone else.

Our Membership

PDF membership consists of individual members, members nominated by voluntary organisations, statutory organisations (who have no voting rights) and interested individuals. Altogether this brings a wealth and diversity of experience and knowledge to PDF.

Our Trustees

PDF is governed by a board of Trustees, the majority of whom are disabled people. They are:

Brian Rains PDF Chair

Alasdair Carnegie, Gina Perryman (Hon Secretary), Myra Horder,

Ruth Lindsay (Honorary Treasurer) Wendy Roberts and Paul Taylor.

The PDF Coordinator is also the Company Secretary.

Our Team

PDF Coordinator Lynne Rigby

PDF Assistant Greg Nugent

PDF Shopability Coordinator Roger French

PDF Shopability Assistant Vacancy

Our History

PDF started life in the early eighties when a group of like-minded individuals joined together to become the 'Handicap Action Committee'.

From there it moved through various stages whilst being supported by Portsmouth Council of Community Service (PCCS), until in 1999 funding was sought from Portsmouth City Council (PCC) to employ a Part Time Coordinator to draw together the Forum's activities and move towards independence as a Charity and a Company.

With continued Grant funding from PCC and supported accommodation from PCCS, PDF became a Company Limited by Guarantee on the 10th September 2002 and an Independent Charity on the 4th March 2003.

This then led to a successful bid in 2004 from the Big Lottery Fund for additional staff and rent for our own independent office location. Additionally in 2005 we signed a three year Service Level Agreement with PCC to replace our yearly grant application.

In November 2005 we leased our own office accommodation at the Frank Sorrell Centre Prince Albert Road which includes a conference room, and accessible toilets and kitchen, with ample car parking.